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The Philippines will not use water cannons or any other offensive weapons in the East Sea, not causing tension in the region.
Speaking to reporters on May 6, the Philippine president continued to reiterate China's recent actions against his country's ships in the East Sea, including the accusation that Chinese coast guard ships used high-speed water cannons, commonly known as water cannons.
This is considered an offensive, harassing move, but kept below the threshold of armed conflict.
Last week, the Philippines again accused China of using dangerous water cannons on Philippine ships, continuing tensions over the past few months.
China and the Philippines are both parties to the dispute in the South China Sea, with China claiming unilateral sovereignty over most of the sea.
In recent times, the Philippines has repeatedly publicly criticized China’s actions in the East Sea. Manila has also been more open with the press about the situation on the ground.
The change of government in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte is often cited in the media as a reason for Manila's move.
In addition, the increased frequency of attacks on China in the international media in recent weeks can also be explained by timing, as next July marks the eighth anniversary of an international court rejecting China's claims in the East Sea.
The Philippines has used the decision to criticize China's illegal reclamation and militarization, while Beijing has not accepted the ruling.
TH (Synthesis)